RABAT, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Morocco and Austria on Tuesday expressed the desire to set up a strategic dialogue to expand bilateral cooperation and advance their ties.
This was announced in a joint declaration issued following a meeting between Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and visiting Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in the Moroccan capital of Rabat.
Morocco and Austria will further strengthen dialogue and cooperation in the areas of security and migration, and work together to combat illegal immigration, immigrant smuggling and human trafficking, it said.
Both sides also expressed their satisfaction with the growth of bilateral trade and Austria's investment in Morocco in recent years, while reiterating the willingness to develop joint projects in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Austria reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to the development of the strategic partnership between Morocco and the European Union at all levels, according to the declaration.
Nehammer paid a two-day official visit to Morocco that ended on Tuesday, as the two states marked the 240th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. ■